Incredible Journey to India!

Sufice it to say, such a trip to India that Lexy and I are on is filled with challenges, changes in schedules, adventures, and wonderful, generous people. It has been non-stop since we got here, in 90-100 degree heat, with 100 % humidity, so incredibly styfling and incredibly powerful at the same time.

Mr. Parmod Sharma, chairman of Yuvsatta, the international youth peace organization putting on this conference, has had me and my co-hort, Mr. Bernie Meyer, the "American Gandhi’ moving at break-neck speed from one school to another, one event to another, all the while balancing out with Mr. Ajat Satru the needs of 250 young people, the workshops, personalities and desires of presenters, and of course, Indian food! A huge job, and one I admire both of these men and their team of volunteers for pulling off.

I have been received so warmly as the Second American Gandhi that it overwhelms me. Wondering what the Indian people would think of me showing up dressed as Mr. Gandhi, coming and talking with the children in schools, the youth in this Peace Festival, I’ve ended up feeling such gratitude for this experience so far. My apologies to those of you who were looking for more posts–just today we discovered computer access within the Commonwealth Youth Centre, where we are staying here in Chandigarh, but previously the only access was after the day’s festivities and events were completed, after 10pm, and such days as these I’ve had no energy to walk the 2.5 mile round trip to a internet cafe to write posts. Again, my apologies.

I will bring more news tomorrow, if all goes well. Lexy is bounding from groups of friends from Sri Lanka, Pakistan, India, and beyond. She is a big hit, with her effervescent energy and ready smile, her silly faces in pictures, and her beauty. She will probably end up with many international suitors, all of whom will have to wait till she’s 30, at least! Fifteen more years is a long time.

I send you greetings from India, these wonderful people, who are just the same as you and me, in so many ways.

More to tell tomorrow, if I can manage it again!

In True Peace,

Don and Lexy